Pumpkins have a bit of a typecasting problem. Though they loom large in America’s cultural consciousness each fall, their starring turns are limited to appearances as jack o’ lanterns on Halloween and in pumpkin pies on Thanksgiving. But pumpkins have so much more to offer: sliced and roasted, they’re a sweet foil for rich, savory dishes such as the Afghani dish kaddo bourani, which pairs caramelized pumpkin with spicy ground beef. When baked and mashed, pumpkin purée can be thrown into quick breads, pancakes, and desserts that in no way resemble pie, like the chocolate cake featured below. How to Choose and Store: Small pie or sugar pumpkins are best for cooking. One five-pound pumpkin will yield about 4 ½ cups of purée. Uncut, uncured pumpkins will keep for a couple of months in a cool, dry place. Cooked pumpkin will last about five days in the refrigerator or up to six months in the freezer. How to Cook:

When we shared a lovely photo of a savory pumpkin soufflé yesterday, you guys went gaga over it, so we're delivering even more of what you crave with this warm, soulful cake recipe from Kaushik Chowdury of the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix. We're certain that you'll find it irresistible. Just make sure you use pumpkin purée instead of sweetened pumpkin pie filling—otherwise you'll have a cloying cake on your hands.